We probably don't need to introduce the Platinum pens. Although they appeared at Escribo quite recently, they quickly gained a huge following, and you can read about their history here. They have earned a particular following thanks to their Japanese nibs, which differ from their European counterparts in a finer line and a few additional variants, which we'll present below.
Platinum pens from the #3776 Century, President, and Izumo series feature all the nib variants listed below. They are crafted from 14-karat gold. Other models have slightly more limited options, and the manufacturer allows them, for example, in two nib sizes – typically F and M, or 02 (EF), 03 (F), and 05 (M) in the case of Plaisir, Prefounte, and Preppy pens.
photo: www.platinum-pen.co.jp/
Platinum nibs include the following varieties: UEF, EF, SF, F, M, B, C, and MS. Below, we'll try to present all the nibs to make choosing your favorite as easy as possible. Of course, we also encourage you to test them before making a purchase, as there's nothing worse than a nib that doesn't write as you'd imagined.
UEF – Ultra Extra Fine. A true pin in the world of nibs. Dry and, unfortunately, scratchy. You can clearly hear its impact on the paper, even if you write on a very smooth sheet. A plus is its extremely thin line.
EF – Extra Fine. Like its predecessor, this nib is stiff, fine-lined, and dry. What can be said about it is that it writes very smoothly, yet is still audible to the ear.
SF – Soft Fine. This is not a flexing nib, as some believe. It strikes a line between the EF and F nib thicknesses, with SF not being as wet as F, but dispensing significantly more ink than EF. Soft Fine is a nib that responds better to pressure, but attempts to achieve the same effects as flexing nibs may result in nib damage.
F – Fine. Significantly thinner than European "EF" nibs, it corresponds more closely to the EF nib we know from pens of other brands. It is also a rather dry nib compared to its European counterparts.
M – Medium. The nib is noticeably thicker than the F, though more like a European size F. Quite wet.
B – Broad. A wide, wet nib that, at first glance, appears significantly thicker than a size M. This difference isn't as noticeable in European pens. The nib is still audible, but operates very smoothly, dispensing a generous amount of ink.
C – Coarse. This wide nib is a response to the European BB. Very wet, it glides across the paper. The ball at the tip is large enough that you might consider modifying it if you're someone who enjoys "tuning" their pens.
MS – Music. Originally designed for writing sheet music. What distinguishes it at first glance from others is its double notch, which allows the nib to pick up and release more ink. The tip is slightly beveled, giving it a certain resemblance to Italic nibs, but it's not a calligraphy nib. This stiff, very wet nib writes thicker vertical lines and thinner horizontal lines. Therefore, by varying the way you hold the pen, you can achieve two completely different writing effects.
We hope we've given you a little insight into the Platinum nibs and made it easier to choose your favorite. We also invite you to visit our store to try them out for yourself!